Insider: Thumbs up to Crosby, down to 3rd down D

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is all smiles after hitting a 55-yard field goal against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.(Photo11: Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle)

This could have been a disastrous loss for the Packers, who were on the wrong end of a 21-3 score with 10 minutes, 38 seconds left in the second quarter.

A loss to the Jets would have put them at 0-2 and facing NFC North Division games at Detroit and Chicago on the horizon.

As it was, Green Bay recovered in time to pull out the 31-24 victory and gain some momentum on both sides of the ball in the second half.

THUMBS UP

There were a lot of obvious candidates: Jordy Nelson's record-setting day, Aaron Rodgers, Mike Daniels, to name a few. But the player who kept them in the game during the first-half debacle was kicker Mason Crosby.

Not only did he kick three field goals, including a 55-yarder that was the longest-ever by a Packers player at Lambeau Field, but also he had a variety of kickoffs that kept the Jets from starting drives with advantageous field position.

His kickoff to start the second half was placed perfectly near the sideline and returner Saalim Hakim could only run out of bounds at the Jets' 5-yard line.

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) tries to elude New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) after making a catch in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) jars the ball loose while putting a hit on New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs towards the end zone for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) gets into a scuffle with New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson (96) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Wilkerson was ejected from the game. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Eric Decker (87) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Morgan Burnett (42), Mike Daniels (76) and Datone Jones (95) celebrate after a play in the third quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Corey Linsley congratulate each other after the Packers scored on a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers tight end Andrew Quarless (81) and New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson (91) get into a scuffle at the end of a play in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson celebrate after hooking up for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore (57) reacts before a field goal attempt by the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs towards the end zone for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) brings down New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets running back Chris Johnson (21) in the fourth quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Andy Mulumba (55) lays motionless on the ground after getting injured against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson gets away from New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) after making a catch in the fourth quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson runs with the ball after making a catch in the fourth quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson share smiles to the crowd as they walk off the field after Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Jets 31-24. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambles away from Demario Davis in the second quarter.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers knocks the ball from the hands of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. The play was ruled an incomplete pass.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson cruises to the end zone after catching a throw from Aaron Rodgers.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Eric Decker.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) jumps for a pass to running back Chris Johnson (21) against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field September 14, 2014. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) falls down while being chased New York Jets' Muhammed Wilkerson (96) and Demario Davis (56) in the first quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shouts instructions to his players in the first quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrate after a Jets touchdown during Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) tries to make a catch over New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safeties Sam Shields (37) and Morgan Burnett (42) break up a fourth down pass to receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the end zone to seal the win against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) reacts after breaking up a play in the second quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safeties Sam Shields (37) and Morgan Burnett (42) break up a fourth down pass to receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the end zone to seal the win against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to make a pass against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) tries to elude a New York Jets defender while making a run in the first quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is pushed out of bounds by New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner in the second quarter. Green Bay Packers against the New York Jets during the game on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Kyle Bursaw / Press-Gazette Media / @kbursaw

Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) celebrates a fumble recovery that was eventually ruled an incomplete pass in the third quarter of the game. Kyle Bursaw / Press-Gazette Media / @kbursaw

Green Bay Packers' John Kuhn runs the ball against the New York Jets.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
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The Packers' defense couldn't get off the field on the Jets' third possession, and the drive ended with New York scoring for a 21-3 lead. Green Bay's defense had several breakdowns on that drive alone: On third-and-6, with an empty backfield and five receivers split wide, Jets quarterback Geno Smith way too easily ran up the middle for 9 yards and the first down.

Later, on third-and-13, running back Bilal Powell, lined up next to Smith in the shotgun, ran up the middle for 11 yards. On the next play, on fourth-and-2, the Jets converted the first down on an 11-yard pass from Smith to Eric Decker.

The Jets were trailing 31-24 with 5:06 left in the game when they decided to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Packers' 36-yard line.

Geno Smith threw what appeared to be a game-tying touchdown pass to Jeremy Kerley over Tramon Williams, but apparently Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg called the team's third and final timeout just before the snap, nullifying the touchdown.

Even though the Jets converted the fourth down on the next play, they didn't get into the end zone and turned the ball over on downs.

RANTS AND RAVES

RANT: The Packers were down 21-3 with 5:44 left in the first half, yet decided to kick a field goal instead of go for it on fourth-and-goal from 2.

RAVE: Defensive lineman Mike Daniels provided good pressure all day and his hit on Geno Smith's legs as he threw led to Tramon Williams' second-quarter interception.

RANT: On the ensuing kickoff following Mason Crosby's 55-yard field goal, the Packers tried an onside kick with 3:17 left in first half. It failed and threatened to give back the 3 points after the Jets recovered at their 48.

RAVE: After the Jets turned the ball over on downs with 3:31 left in the game, the Packers took over at their 28. The question at the time, with the Packers leading by a touchdown, was whether they could run out the clock. They did with a 15-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson to convert on third-and-3. After that, it was kneel-down time.

DID YOU NOTICE?

In the second half, the Packers' defense gave up only 3 points and 100 total yards. They forced four punts and one turnover on downs.

Linebacker Clay Matthews showed his closing speed with he chased down dangerous Michael Vick from behind. Vick was in for one fourth-quarter play and rolled to his left but was sacked for a 3-yard loss by Matthews when he couldn't find an open receiver.

Jets receiver Eric Decker made an amazing toe-dragging catch along the sideline near the start of the third quarter. It was called a catch on the field, but there was thought that maybe he didn't get both feet inbounds. Instead of running a quick play to ensure the call stood, the Jets called a timeout. After the timeout, the Packers decided to challenge the call. After the review, the call was confirmed and the Packers wasted a challenge.